Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Shanti Tea
Product Description:
A rare, visually stunning hand-twisted biodynamic oolong tea from the celebrated Idulgashinna Tea Estate, consisting of 1-2 inch “spears” of green, cinnamon-colored and white leaves. The infusion is curly and very colorful, the liquor light and attractive with a medium body.
Taster’s Review:
This has to be one of the most unique Oolong teas I’ve ever encountered. It looks different, it tastes different … and it affects me differently as I sip it.
The dry leaf looks so cool. The individual leaves are thin and twisted into a spear or long “arrow” shape. They unfurl very slowly, yielding many wonderful infusions of delicious tea.
The liquor color is a transparent, pale amber. It possesses a very smooth flavor. It is a somewhat delicate flavor, but then, that may have something to do with the fact that I steeped this in my gaiwan using short steeps. A longer steep time may have produced a more intense flavor, but, I don’t know that I would have liked it as well. As it is, the flavor is really very enjoyable.
There is a roasted nut flavor to this tea, with a hint of a flavor that I can only describe as “spice-like” in the background. It has a somewhat smoky taste there too, although it is extraordinarily subtle. This is not a tea I would categorize as a smoky tea.
The tea has a sweetness to it, but it is a rather unique sweetness. Generally, I label sweet flavors as “burnt-sugar” or caramel-y, honey-esque or fruit-like … something along those lines. But this sweetness doesn’t really fall in line with any of those… but if I had to choose one, I would say it’s more like a fruity sweetness than a caramel or honey note. Yes, I think that a “dried fruit sweetness” might be an appropriate comparison.
There is a sour note that hits about mid-sip, and it reminds me a bit of a “brandy” – although, I am not very well-versed on alcoholic beverages, so I wouldn’t be very good in describing that, other than to say that it tastes almost fermented. It’s quite pleasant though.
I found this tea to be very enjoyable. I could feel it relax me as I sipped it (another quality to which I found this similar to an alcoholic beverage, it felt warm and gently intoxicating as I sipped this). This one may just be my favorite yet from Shanti Tea!
Los Andes Black Tea from Shanti Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Shanti Tea
Product Description:
The tea produced at Los Andes has a pleasing astringency and a nice, full body, with subtle floral undertones. The profile of the tea opens wonderfully with a splash of milk and a pinch of agave nectar.
Taster’s Review:
I have been so pleased with the teas that I’ve tried from Shanti Tea. This one may just be my favorite yet, it is such a unique black tea – one with which I’m enjoying becoming familiar.
It starts out bold and even a little aggressive. There is a note of bitterness right at the start that disappears just as quickly as it arrived. It is like a little “wake up” for the taste buds which is soon washed away by the sweetness of this tea. It is a very interesting sweetness: it is not quite honey-like, and not quite burnt-sugar caramel. Somewhere in between, it is unlike any other tea I’ve tasted. There is also a malty tone to it that is similar to a high-end Assam.
As suggested in the description, I note hints of a floral undercurrent which develops as I sip. It is at once rustic and smooth. The astringency is soft, clean and dry, and there is very little aftertaste to this tea.
A very enjoyable tea that makes a delicious breakfast tea (takes milk and honey well) or an afternoon tea. This is one that you’ll want to drink every day!
Blueberry White Tea from Shanti Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: Shanti Tea
Product Description:
Light and fragrant, the taste is delicate yet satisfying. This organic sensation is of antioxidants. Rather than covering the delicate body of the tea itself, our blend enhances and reveals even more of the natural qualities of the tea. Never bitter or overly strong, you can enjoy this tea any time of the day.
Taster’s Review:
Do you love blueberries? Have you been searching for the ultimate blueberry tea? Well, I may have just found it! This is an exceptional blueberry white tea. In fact, I can’t recall one that I’ve liked better than this! It’s really spectacular.
The blueberry flavor is true to the fruit. It tastes like fresh, ripe blueberries. So juicy and sweet! The white tea base is delicate. It has a fresh taste that mingles with the vibrant blueberry flavor very well. It also has a slight creaminess to it which is the perfect accent to the blueberry taste. And because it is a lighter tea, it doesn’t interfere with those subtle berry nuances.
I recommend steeping this one at a very low temperature (I steeped at about 160°F) and for a minimum of five minutes. I steeped my cup for six minutes. This is a very forgiving tea (so long as the water is not too hot) – I am detecting absolutely no bitterness whatsoever with a prolonged steep time.
A deliciously satisfying blueberry tea!
Strawberry White from Shanti Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: Shanti Tea
Product Description:
A seductively fragrant blend of white tea, rosehips, safflowers, and strawberry essence, with a sweet taste and a fruity aroma. This popular blend uses a base of biodynamic Bai Mu Dan from northern India, and is an excellent accompaniment to desserts.
Taster’s Review:
This tea has a really lovely berry aroma. Ripe, juicy strawberries!
The tea steeps to a deep ruby color which leads me to believe that there is hibiscus in the blend. This may contribute to some of the tart notes here, because at first, the tartness kind of took me by surprise, even though I thought I was prepared for a hibiscus-y blend, the tartness is startling. That being said, it does tame down after the first couple of sips. As I continue to sip, I am finding that the tartness here is quite palatable.
The white tea base is a nice pairing in this case – I find that the delicate nature of the white tea allows the full flavor of the strawberry to come through. I can taste the sweetness as well as that berry tart “tingle” at the finish. It is really delicious.
This is a very nice, summery tea that is delicious served hot but even better iced. Very refreshing!
Midnight Jasmine from Shanti Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Shanti Tea
Product Description:
Prepared by infusing green tea leaves with night-blooming jasmine flowers for several consecutive nights, Jasmine tea is one of the best known China Green teas, originating from the Song Dynasty around 1000CE. Cultivated at altitudes over 1500ft, this popular tea has a clean and delicate taste with the subtle yet exquisite aroma of jasmine blossoms, reminiscent of summery evenings and gentle breezes.
Taster’s Review:
Wow! This is such a lovely jasmine!
The green tea is light and slightly grassy, and at the start of the cup, I noticed that it was a little sharp and grassy. Not bitter-grassy, but it had a sharp intonation that hit toward the end of the sip. After the jasmine flavor developed, though, that sweetness washed over that sharpness and softened it, creating the perfect balance between green tea flavor and the sweet flower.
The jasmine starts out rather smooth and delicate, but it develops as I continue to sip. If you love jasmine, you simply must try this tea. It toes the line between intense and just a bit too much jasmine, but it toes that line with such grace and precision. It is NOT soapy to me, but, I can see how others would think that it might be a little too much for their palate, so if you’re one who is particularly sensitive to jasmine’s perfume-y tendencies, this may not be the jasmine for you.
This jasmine is for jasmine lovers! It is delightful hot or iced – this might just be one of my favorite jasmine green teas to chill for iced tea.